Prokaryotic Cell

Structure and Functions

Prokaryotes:
 Size and shape

 Average size: 0.2 -1.0 µm  2 - 8 µm

 Basic shapes:
 Cell Arrangements

 Pairs: diplococci,
diplobacilli

 Clusters: staphylococci

 Chains: streptococci,
streptobacilli
Size and shape
Size and shape
 Size and shape
 Unusual shapes
 Star-shaped Stella
 Square Haloarcula
 Most bacteria are Monomorphic
 A few are pleomorphic

Genus: Stella

Genus: Haloarcula
Bacterial Cell
Chemical Composition of Bacterial cell:

 Water - 70%
 Dry weight - 30% composed of:
 DNA - 5% , RNA - 12%, protein- 70% found in:
Ribosomes – RNA (Protein particles) - MW 3,000,000
and Enzymes
 Surface structures
 Polysaccharides - 5%
 Lipids - 6%
 Phospholipids - 4%
Prokaryotes Structure

 Cell envelope- glycocalyx, cell wall , cell membrane

 Appendages- flagella, pili, fimbrae
 Cytoplasm- nucleoid/chromosome, ribosomes, granules,
plasmids (in some)
 Structures External to the Cell Wall
 Glycocalyx

 Glycocalyx (meaning sugar coat) is the general term used for

substances that surround prokaryotic cells.
 Consist of Layer of Polysacchrides and Proteins (sometimes).
 Some extracellular material secreted by many bacterial cells in the
form of:
a) Capsule
b) Slime Layer
Capsule
If the substance is organized
and is firmly attached to the cell
wall
Capsules often protect
pathogenic bacteria from
phagocytosis by the cells of the
host.
Slime layer
If the substance is unorganized
and only loosely attached to the
cell wall.
Bacterial Cell wall:

 Rigid structure that lies just outside the plasma membrane.

 It provides the characteristic shape to the cell.
 Protect the cell from osmotic lysis.
 May also contribute to pathogenicity.
Structure of the Cell Wall:

 Peptidoglycan (polysaccharides + protein)

Components of the peptidoglycan layer:
 – Repeating glycan chains (N acetyl glucosamine and N acetyl
muramic acid)
 – A set of identical tetrapeptide side chains attached to N-
acetylmuramic acid
 – A set of identical peptide cross bridges
 Differences in Cell wall structure:
 Basis of Gram Stain Reaction: Hans
Christian Gram- 1884
 Differential Stain: Gram Positive vs
Gram Negative Cells
 Gram Positive Cells-
 Thick peptidoglycan layer with
embedded teichoic acids
 Gram Negative Cells-
 Thin peptidoglycan layer, outer
membrane of lipopolysaccharide.
Plasma Membrane
 Located just under cell wall
 Very thin, lipid bilayer, similar to the plasma membrane of other
cells.
 Transport of ions, nutrients and waste across the membrane
(selectively permeable membrane).
 Typical
• 30-40% phospholipids
• 60-70% proteins
 Exceptions-
• Mycoplasma- sterols
• Archaea- unique branched hydrocarbons
 Plasma Membrane

 Phospholipid bilayer
 Peripheral proteins
 Integral proteins
 Transmembrane proteins
Mesosomes
 In folding of the plasma membrane into cytoplasm – internal
pouch
 Increases surface area.
 Gram-positive bacteria- prominent.
 Gram negative bacteria- smaller, harder to see.
 Plays a role in cellular respiration and movement of DNA
Flagella
 Long appendages which rotate by means of a "motor“ located just
under the cytoplasmic membrane.
 Bacteria that lack flagella are referred to as Atrichous
 Flagella may be Peritrichous (distributed over the entire cell
 polar (at one or both poles or ends of the cell).
 If polar, flagella may be Monotrichous (a single flagellum at
one pole)
 Lophotrichous (a tuft of flagella coming from one pole)
 Amphitrichous (flagella at both poles of the cell)
Flagella distribution over the cell body
Flagellum of G+ and G- Bacteria
 Bacterial motility

 Rotate flagella to run or tumble

 Move toward or away from stimuli (taxis)
 Flagella proteins are H antigens
(e.g., E. coli O157:H7)
Bacterial motility
 Fimbriae

 Fimbriae may be several hundred in number

 Distributed on poles or entire surface
 Allow attachment
 Pili
 Longer than Fimbriae
 Only 1 or 2 per cell
 Transfer genetic material
 Some bacteria can produce a special pilus called a conjugation or sex
pilus that enables conjugation.
Cell Cytoplasm:

 Encased by cell membrane

 Dense, gelatinous
 Prominent site for biochemical and synthetic activities
 70-80% water- solvent
 Mixture of nutrients- sugar, amino acids,salts
 Building blocks for cell synthesis and energy
Nucleoid

 It is an irregularly shaped region within the cell of prokaryotes that

contains all or most of the genetic material.
 The genome of prokaryotic organisms generally is a circular double
stranded DNA.
 Lack nuclear Membrane.
Plasmids

 Extrachromosomal pieces of DNA

 Often confer protection- resistance to drugs
 Tiny, circular
 Free or integrated
 Duplicate and are passed on to offspring
 Used in genetic engineering
Ribosomes:

 Site of protein synthesis

 RNA and Protein
 Thousands
 Occurs in chains –polysomes
 • 70S
 2 smaller subunits
 30S and 50S
 Inclusions

 Metachromatic granules (volutin) •Phosphate reserves

 Polysaccharide granules
•Energy reserves
 Lipid inclusions
•Energy reserves
 Sulfur granules
•Energy reserves
 Carboxysomes
•Ribulose 1,5-diphosphate
carboxylase for CO2 fixation
 Gas vacuoles
•Protein covered cylinders
 Magnetosomes
•Iron oxide (destroys H2O2)
Mode of Reproduction:
 Prokaryotes reproduce by binary (‘two’) fission (‘splitting’).
 The two new ‘daughter’ cells are clones of the original cell
genetically identical.
 Prokaryote Functions
 Decomposers
 Agents of fermentation
 Play important roles in digestive systems
 Involved in many nutrient cycles
 ex: the nitrogen cycle, which restores nitrate into the soil for plants.
 Diverse array of metabolic functions.
 For example, some bacteria use sulfur instead of oxygen in their
metabolism.
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